Visual language: representation Representation refers to the meaning that the viewer makes from the images presented within the frame of the picture.
signs and symbols.
We acknowledge the use of symbols in our everyday lives by interpreting the signs we see around us.
JLNUY oSimilar conventions are used to represent feelings and give status to individuals e.g. the symbol of a lion is often used on royal coats of arms to represent power and authority. oObjects often have symbolic meanings that are recognised by the audience e.g. a Mercedes Benz car has a symbolic meaning of wealth and luxury.
Body language
is consciously used to convey personality, feelings and relationships with others.Elements include ogesture and movement odistance oposture oorientation – the way in which a person’s body is aligned in relation to another person e.g.Are they leaning towards or away from the person next to them? otouch e.g. Who touches whom?In what ways?In which situations? ofacial expression oeye contact.
Physical appearance
includes such things as oclothing ohair style and colour ojewellery omakeup obody style e.g. height, weight, build. Visual language: presentation Presentation refers to the way in which the visual image is constructed.It includes aspects such as
Camera angles
High angle – the camera is positioned above the subject.It appears that the you are looking down on someone making them look weak and insignificant.
Eye level –It appears as if you are on the same level as the person of object.It seems as if you are sharing the point of view with a character
Low angle - the camera is positioned below the subject.It makes you look up to the person and they appear to be powerful.
Camera shots
Photographs and drawings have frames.The frame decides how much information you see and helps you make meaning from it. oA long shot shows the whole person and some background.It is used to establish the setting. oA medium shot shows a person from the waist up.It is used to show people’s actions and gestures. oA close up shows a person’s head and shoulders or an object in detail. It is used to show emotions and to highlight important details.
Special effects
Photographs and drawings can be manipulated to create particular impressions e.g. body shapes can be adjusted to make people appear thinner or fatter.Air brushing can be used to remove wrinkles making people look younger.
Lighting and colour
Light patterns in photographs or films suggest different moods or create a focus on a particular part of the picture.
Colours can be bright and vibrant or soft and muted.The colours reflect the mood and atmosphere of the scene.
Some colours have symbolic meaning e.g. in Australia red suggests danger and white usually means purity.
Reference: Rod Quinn, Barrie McMahon and Robyn Quinn, 1997. Picture this: reading visual language. Curriculum Corporation. Verbal language features This refers to the ways in which spoken and written language is used in the trailers. Some book trailers might not use print at all: they rely on visual and spoken language to convey their messages.Nevertheless, the language is constructed to persuade the audience to read the book.
Awareness of the audience
Book trailers usually target a specific audience so that the images and words used, together with the tone and atmosphere created, will appeal directly to that audience.
The tone might be personal and emotive because it is hoped that the audience will empathise with the situation and / or characters presented in the trailer.
Linking words and conjunctions
Conjunctions create cohesion and express cause and effect e.g. because, therefore, so …
They are used to link ideas, contrast concepts, sequence thoughts and connect cause and effect.
Reasons for actions or choices are shown through the use of linking words e.g. similarly, because …
Emotive words
attempt to arouse people’s feelings rather than being neutral or creating objective descriptions.
suggest feelings beyond the actual meaning of the word e.g. armchair suggests comfort whereas chair does not have a particular connotation.
First person pronouns such as I and we are not generally used.
Personal opinions are disguised as facts e.g. This is surely a catastrophe that endangers civilisation as we know it.
The passive voice is frequently used so that the person making the claim is not identified and so that the tone creates authority and strength. e.g. It is certain that …
Nominalisation
is the process of changing actions (verbs) into things (nouns) e.g.
Action
Thing
I am worried …
Concern was expressed …
The bomb might explode …
The possible detonation …
Everyone will die …
Wide spread mortality …
This is often used to structure and add authority to persuasive texts.
Degrees of certainty
Book trailers are able to overstate the case by using authoritative words such as always, never before,
Avoid vague reasoning and make convincing statements that will encourage the audience to read the book.
Present tense
Generally timeless present tense is used, although this might change if referring to events in the past or those that might occur in the future.
References:
Beverly Derewianka (1995). Exploring how texts work. Primary English Teaching Association. First Steps: writing resource book 2nd Edition (2005). Rigby Heinemann Targeting textupper primary: Recount, procedure and exposition (1998). Blake Education ããã
Visual language: representation
Representation refers to the meaning that the viewer makes from the images presented within the frame of the picture.
- signs and symbols.
- We acknowledge the use of symbols in our everyday lives by interpreting the signs we see around us.
J L N U Y o Similar conventions are used to represent feelings and give status to individuals e.g. the symbol of a lion is often used on royal coats of arms to represent power and authority.
o Objects often have symbolic meanings that are recognised by the audience e.g. a Mercedes Benz car has a symbolic meaning of wealth and luxury.
- Body language
is consciously used to convey personality, feelings and relationships with others. Elements includeo gesture and movement
o distance
o posture
o orientation – the way in which a person’s body is aligned in relation to another person e.g. Are they leaning towards or away from the person next to them?
o touch e.g. Who touches whom? In what ways? In which situations?
o facial expression
o eye contact.
- Physical appearance
includes such things aso clothing
o hair style and colour
o jewellery
o makeup
o body style e.g. height, weight, build.
Visual language: presentation
Presentation refers to the way in which the visual image is constructed. It includes aspects such as
- Camera shots
Photographs and drawings have frames. The frame decides how much information you see and helps you make meaning from it.o A long shot shows the whole person and some background. It is used to establish the setting.
o A medium shot shows a person from the waist up. It is used to show people’s actions and gestures.
o A close up shows a person’s head and shoulders or an object in detail. It is used to show emotions and to highlight important details.
- Special effects
Photographs and drawings can be manipulated to create particular impressions e.g. body shapes can be adjusted to make people appear thinner or fatter. Air brushing can be used to remove wrinkles making people look younger.Reference: Rod Quinn, Barrie McMahon and Robyn Quinn, 1997. Picture this: reading visual language. Curriculum Corporation.
Verbal language features
This refers to the ways in which spoken and written language is used in the trailers.
Some book trailers might not use print at all: they rely on visual and spoken language to convey their messages. Nevertheless, the language is constructed to persuade the audience to read the book.
References:
Beverly Derewianka (1995). Exploring how texts work. Primary English Teaching Association.
First Steps: writing resource book 2nd Edition (2005). Rigby Heinemann
Targeting text upper primary: Recount, procedure and exposition (1998). Blake Education
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